Day 11 - Scaffolding and Internal Coverings

Week 3 - Day 11
While the scaffolders continued to work on the external cladding and the framework scaffolding over the roof attention was also given to protecting the pulpit and pews.

George Street Chapel viewed from the NE in the afternoon
as the sun drops behind the chapel.

The scaffolding extending beyond the gutters to meet the external scaffold frame,
which snow surrounds the building.

Plastic sheeting now protects the pulpit and pews to prevent damage
as a temporary floor is constructed above the Gallery
and the wall plaster is removed. 

Day 9 - Scaffolding reaches gutters at rear of Chapel

Week 2 - Day 9

Scaffolding reaches the gutters at the rear of the chapel.

Day 8 - Clear-out of Previous Developments

Week 2 - Day 8
Interventions by the previous owner are now being cleared away.
A skip arrives tomorrow to start getting rid of the debris.
We will all be pleased to see the inappropriate yellow coloured walls, the partition walls and the toilets removed.

Modern toilets, tiling and yellow painted walls.
All destined for the skip at the end of the week.

As the plaster comes off the extent of the damp penetration can be clearly seen.

Site Manager, Ian Mullins - wrapped up against todays snow - but the job goes on.

Day 7 - Chapel begins to Disappear from Street View

Week 2 - Day 7
The George Street elevation has almost disappeared from the street scene, hidden behind a protective screen. You need to log in to this blog to see what happens next.

Cladding in front of the George Street elevation protects the public from any debris.

Scaffolding continues to be erected at the rear of the chapel in Jackson Pit.

Day 6 -Scaffolding at rear of Chapel

Week 2 - Day 6
This type of scaffolding was erected today around the window openings at the rear of the chapel. It will be used to support horizontal scaffold which will be inserted through the building above the gallery floor once the windows have been removed.
At the same time the external cladding continues to be erected to protect the public from debris and dust from the repair works.

Scaffolding being erected around the windows.

Cladding continues to be erected around the chapel.
This is the SE corner at David Street and George Street.

Cladding across the George Street elevation.

Day 5 - Scaffolding and Cladding

Week 1 - Day 5
George Street Chapel is now slowly disappearing behind scaffolding and cladding. Both to enable a temporary roof to be erected over the top of the building, but also to enable access to the whole of the outside walls, to make the site secure and to protect passers by from being hurt by any falling debris from the re-pointing and brick work restoration.
So, what happens next?
Over the next week a start will be made on removing the modern pointing, much of it of recent addition which used the wrong materials. Replacement with the correct mortar will add life to the building and protect the surviving bricks from the elements for another 200 years.
The window frames will be removed so that they can be repainted and then put back with a damp-proof membrane, again to enable them to survive without needing replacement for many years.
A temporary roof will be built over the chapel, so that the slates can be removed and the internal lath and plaster ceiling removed before being restored and re-built, and a new lead-lined stone gully replaced to the rear elevation to prevent rainwater spilling over and damaging the rear brick wall.
meanwhile internally the plaster will be removed from the walls, the stone floor on the cellar will be lifted to enable the insertion of underfloor heating. This will make the chapel warmer and more sustainable for Age UK Oldham to maintain and heat.
To enable work to be carried out to the roof and to the chapel floor at the same time, a temporary floor will be built internally supported from the scaffolding at a level above the present Gallery.
Watch this blog to see how it all gets done.
Thanks to Roy and Peter for the daily photographic record so far.
We hope to set a new date for a Friends of George Street Study Day towards the end of February to re-place the session cancelled on 25th Jan because of the snow.

Cladding starts to be erected around the south gable in David Street
and around to the front elevation in George Street.

Cladding in David Street.
The south gable of George Street Chapel. 

Scaffolding and cladding George Street Chapel, Oldham.

The front elevation of George Street Chapel starts to disappear behind
cladding and scaffolding as restoration work starts.

Day 4 - Scaffolding Rises Higher

Week 1 - Day 4
The scaffolding to the elevation facing George Street rose higher today.
A start was also made to remove the  modern gypsum plaster that was put on by the last owner. Already one of the earlier fireplace has been uncovered in the celler dwellings that were accessed from Jackson Pit at the rear of the chapel. This fireplace had been sealed up during the life of the chapel as changes were made to the layout of the cellar dwellings. The construction of the brickwork is being revealed and recorded before it is later recovered by lime plaster, and is lost to view once more.
The evidence will provide us with new information about the construction of the chapel and how the residents lived.

The scaffolding rises to a new tier on the elevation facing George Street.

A surviving opening for a cast iron kitchen range (removed by previous owner).
The arch to the left ducted the smoke from the range into the cavity wall and to the chimney.

A brick arch indicates the location of an original fireplace in the cellar
dwellings below the George Street Chapel.

George Street Chapel - a building site regulations.

Day 3 - Scaffolding start to go up

Week 1 - Day 3
Scaffolding delivered today and started to be erected around the chapel.

Elevation to George Street.
The Chapel begins to be hidden behind scaffolding.

Scaffolding being erected at the front of George Street Chapel.

Day 2 - Preliminary Works in the Snow

Week 1 - Day 2
Works continued today in the snowy conditions to set up the site office and safety fencing around the chapel. The iron railing at the front elevation have been removed and the pavement moved out for the safety of pedestrians.

The front elevation on George Street will become hidden by scaffolding over the next few days.
After that the windows will be removed.
Follow this blog to watch the transformation.

Front elevation of George Street Chapel with safety barriers erected.

Safety barriers being erected to south down David Street. 

Site office being set up at the rear elevation in Jackson Pit.

Day 1 - Work Starts at George Street Chapel

Week 1 - Day 1
Lambert Walker, specialist in the restoration of historic buildings began the work today on the restoration and repair of the former Independent Methodist Chapel at George Street, Oldham.
This week are the 'preliminary works' to prepare the site, but actual work is also starting.
Keep checking in to see how work proceeds.

Preparations for safety barriers being erected on George Street elevation.